Tube support



March 3, 1936.

H. J. KERR Er AL TUBE SUPPORT Original Filed April 16, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTORS foward c-ffefl C17 Nef MJczz/Qye March 3, 1936. H. J. KERR Er AL TUBE SUPPORT `5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y original Filed April 16, 1931 ENTOR` March 3,1936.` H. J. ERR Em, 2,033,077

TUBE sUPPoM1 Original Filed Afgl 16, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheetl 3 v "5 gg v3 M Ibi 52m 'a m1# l f. w y' W 4 \\\l n l@ iR N NVENTORS v Q Jamara/cf /Cepp *l* BY Char/e5 Me'al/oJ/e ATTORNEY 'March l3, 1936. H. J. Kl-:RR r-:r AL 2,033,077

l TUBE SUPPORT original Filed April 1e, 1951 5 sheets-shewu 4 Fig '9 103 INVENTORS l award c Kerl' BY Char/es If avoye ATTORN EY Maich 3, 1936.

H. J. KERR El' AL TUBE SUPPORT Original Filed April 16, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l I HO t f/s INVENTORS Jfoward JGPP B Charleslfvaye -Al-:Y

Patented Mar. 3,1936 e 2,01%?07-7 runs surroa'r Howard J. Kerr, Westfield, and Charles U. Savoye. Hackensack, N. I., assignors to The Babcock & Wilcox Company,` Bayonne, N. '3., a corporation of New J eraey Application epm 1s, 11531. ser-hu No. season Renewed .my 21,1935

20 Claims. (Cl. 25T-240) This invention relates to heat transfer devices. and connected at the outlet end to the upper porand more particularly to a heat transfer device tion of a row of intermediate headers 6. A sec- -in which groups of tubes of considerable length ond group of tubes extends across the interior aresupported within a casing -in a region exof the casing, similar to the group 3 and is con- 5 posed to gases at^such high temperatures that nected atthe inletend tothelower portionof theordinary structural supports are unsuitable. intermediate headers e, and atlthe outlet end to An object of the invention is to provide in a the uppe'i` portion of a second row of intermeheat transfer device a support for elements ex-` diate headers 6. A third group of tubes 'I exv posed to gases atfhigh temperatures, through tends across the interior of the casing, similar to which aheat absorbing medium is passed.- the other two groups, andis connected at the 10 Another object of the invention is to provide in inlet end to the lower portion of the intermediate a tubular heat transfer device a group ofl fluid headers 6, and at the outlet end .to an `outlet containing tubes which serve as a support for header 8. the other tubes making up the heat transfer ele- Alternatetubes 0f. the uppelmOSt 10W'0f SIOUD ments of the device; 3 are bent upward at a location where it is de- 15 A further; and more specic object oi' the insirablefto support the tubes. and .extend in a vention is to provide in a tubular heat transfer vertical leg I0 connected to a header I2 suitably device, characterized by a'plurality of tubes of supported by roof beams 'I I. From the header I2- considerable length disposed interiorly of a casa row of tubes I3 extends vertically to the'lowerlng, a, group of tubes conneeted,between headers most row of tubes at which point they are bent' 20 associated with a second group bf tubes forming at right angles and `extend parallel and adjacent a shorter path between the headers, the last the tubes 'I to the ends' of the loops thereof, named tubes serving as a. support for the rst where they are'cnnected to a header l5. The named tubes, Y other tubes forming the uppermost row of the 25 Other objects willbe apparent lto those skilled group 3 are bent upwardat another D0il1t.where '25 ln this particular art from the' description in the it S desirable t0 SUPPOT the tubes, il1` a Vertical specication in connection with the appendedleg r6, connected toa header I8 `suitably supdrawings in which-L ported ,on the roof` beams I'I Connected in .Fig. 1 is e, side view of e, heat transfer device header I8 and yextending downwardin a'lvertical so constituting enmustrative embodiment of the mles I 9 parallel tothe leg Isis anotheh row,` of' a0 vention; Y .tubes siniilar to the tubes I3. \Justbey'o1 id the Fig. 2 is a, fore-shortened plan view 0f the de.. lowermost row of the tubes l, these tubes are vice taken along the line 2?-2 of Fig. 1; bent at right angles and extend parallel andadv Figs. 3 and '4 illustrate modications of strucj acentto the horizontal leg of the tubes i3, where tural details of the invention; they are connected to a header I5. A row of 35 Fig. 5 is e, fore-shortened side View of en 11.. `tubes 20 connects the header I5A with the( lower lustrative modication of the invention; `intermediate headers 6, and completes the sec- Fig. 6 is a fore-shortened end View,I in section, ondary. ow path- I taken along the line B-S of Fig. 5; The tubes constituting the supporting members 40 Fig. 'l is a fore-shortened plan View, in section, and their connections present a iiow path, the 40 taken' along the line l-l of Fig. 5, cross-sectional area of which is equal tc a single Figf is aV fore-shortened side view of an illusrow -of tubes of the main flow path. The vertical trative modi'cation of the invention; legs I3 and I9, forming the actual supports for Fig.' 9 is a fore-shortened sectional plan view the tubes of the several groups constituting the taken along the line 9--9 of Figi 8; main ow path, extend alternately ythrough the 45 Fig. 10 is an end view, in section, taken along tubes, and lugs 25 on these vertical members enthe line Ill- Ill of Fig. 8; gagef and supporteach individual tube.

Figs. `11 and `12 are eniaggedstructumi deans The I'huid heated in ,its passage through these of the modification illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. tube sectionsis mixed in the header I5 and is "In the. embodiments offtheinven'tlon chosen delivered to the intermediate headers 6, "thor- 50. I

forf purposes of illustration isshow'n, in Fig. 1, a.- bughly mixed, where it is mixed with the uid tubular heat transfer device enclosed within a heatedin the heat transfer section s and 5. By casing-I. A group of tubes is connected at the. virtue of this arrangement ofjpartsnd the mixinlet end to an inletheader 2, extending across the ing' that takes place therein, the uigitdelvered to interior -offthe casing in a long bend loop, the'noutlet header 8, is made up ofid that has 55 been passed through two dierent sections of the heat transfer device but has been thoroughly mixed and is at an even temperature. vAs best shown in Fig. 2, the vertical sections of the` tubes I3 and I9 extend through the tube lgroups 3, 5 ,and 1. These'tubes, as indicated in Fig. 3, have lugs secured thereto, in good thermal contact therewith. These lugs are disposed below each of the several kows of the tube groups 3, 5'and 1, and individual tubes in these rows rest-upon the lugs-and lare supported thereby. In connection `with these supports, it is to be noted that the heat absorbing medium which ows through the main bank of tubular heat transferA elements 3, 5 and 1 is of the same character as that which flows through the tubes I3 and I9, so that, although the tube supporting members are located in a region of high temperature and are exposed to high temperature gases, by virtue of the heat absorbing uid iiowing in the tubes I3 and I9 the members making up the supporting structure will not be heated to destructively high temperatures.

path that ows lns The supporting details illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4-show forms of lugs secured to the supporting tubes, and their engagement with tubes making p one of the heat transfer groups; In Fig. 3 is illustrated a form of lug, the upper -face of which is curved to conform with the curvature of the tube which rests upon it. These lugs 25 are illustrated-in conjunction with the vertical =tubesf I3 supporting the tubes of the bank3.v The lugs 25, illustrated in Fig. 4, have `straight faces and provide a line contact with the tubes of the bank 3 supported thereb 'I'he tubes and .uigs gre otherwise Similar to those illustrated in'A g. A In the /operation of this device, the uid constituting the heat `absorbing medium passed through the system, is admitted to the inlet headc er 2 and flows through the group of tubes 3 to a row of intermediate headers 4; from the intermediate headers 4, the uid ws through the tubes 5to a second `row of intermediate headers 5, and from there ows through the groupof tubes 1 to the outlet header 8. A portion of theuid admitted to the inlet headerA 2 ows through the tubes I0 to the header I2, and from the header I2 through the tubes I3 to the header I5. Another portion of the fluid ows through the tubes I 6, the header I 8,- and then through the tubes I3 to the header I5. The uid admitted to the header I5 by the tubes I3 and I9 then\ ows through the tubes 29 to the intermediate header 6 and joins the uid in the main flow A through the group of tubes 1 to the outlet header 8. 1 'I'he combustion gases constituting the heating.element in the system are`admitted to the bottom of the casing and pass successively across the tubes in the groups 1, 5, 3 and pass from the casing through the gas outlet 30, so that the uidfiowing through the tubes 3, 5, 1 ows in a direction generally countercurrent to the com- `bustion gases. 4

` It is to be'noted in connection with the iiow ofthe uidthrough the'tubes III, I3 and the tubes I6,-"I9 and their common connector 20, that the 'paths are ofshorter length than the patl s between the headers 2 and 8 through tubes I, 5, 1, so that the resistance to the ow of fluid through tle paths I9, I3 and I6;y I1 is less than ,through the main circuit, and the velocity of the fluid flowing' therethrough will be 'correspondingly greater, with an accompanying increase in [of the lowe'r row, of the group along a suitable distance beyond the tubes form by Figs. 5, Gand 1, a tubular heat transfer dev -vice, similar in character vto the one described in connection with Figs. 1 and2, is shown enclosed 'within a'casing 50. `In-this embodiment of the invention, a group of tubes -53 is connected at. the inlet end to an inlet header 52 which is disposed in the bottom of the casing. The outlet end of the tubes 53 is connected to thelower portion of an intermediate header 54. These tubes extend across the interior of the casing i a long return bend loop similar'to the one shown and described in connection with Fig. 1. A second groupof tubes 55 has its inlet end'expanded in the upper portion of the intermediate header 54 and extends across the interior of the casing in a long return bend loop, and its outlet end is expanded in the lower portion of an intermediate header, 56. A third group of tubes 51 extends across the interior of the casingin a long return bend loop, asdescribed in connection with the other groups, and has its inlet end expanded in the upper portion of headers 56 and its outlet end connected toV theoutlet header 58. These banks of tubes in 'connection with their headers constitutethe main flow path of the device.

bank 51 to the end thereof, where it is bent f i downward to the uppermost row of the tube bank 55 along which it runs, forming a part thereof, to be connected to the intermediate headers 56` joining the main ow` system.

ing the vertical leg 6I),` at which point they are bent upward tofform a vertical leg 10 extending through thejtube banks 53, 55, 51 spaced apart ylongitudinally from the tubes forming the leg su. ,The tubes inxtend through the roof of the casing lgand are connected to a header 12. A

group of tubes 14 is also connected to the header 12, and these tubes extend downward'through the casing to the top row of the bank of tubes 51 where they are bent at"right angles and extend along adjacentand alternate' the tubesl 64, and are connected to the headers 56.

rI 'he vertical tubes 50 and 10 .have lugs welded thereto, .in good thermal contact therewith, as shown in the detail Fig. 3. These tubes extend between alternate tubes of the tube banks 53, 5 5, 51,

as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and the lugs thereonv engage theA lower portion ofadjacent tubes in these banks and serve as a support therefor.

In the operation of this device, the heat absorbing medium passed through this system is admitted to the header 52 and flows through the group of tubes 53 to an intermediate header, 54: from there it flows through the'group of tubes 55l to a second intermediateheadgr 56, and thence* thmugh the 'tubes 51 to'theuuet-header sa. A-

The other tubes 53 extend there` portion of this heat absorbing duid, however, ows through the tubes 60, 10, respectively, to headers B2, 12, and thence through the tubes 6l, 14 to the second intermediate header 50 where it joins the heat absorbing fluid passed through the main ow In this modification of the invention, the combustion gases constituting the heating `element in the device are admitted to the casing' at the top thereof, through the gas inlet 15, and iiow successively down and across the tubes 51, 05, 03, after which they pass from the asing'throulgh a suitablegas outlet (not shown). The heat absorbing nula flowing through the tbes en. 1c meets with' less resistance than the fluid owing in the main flow path, as the secondary path is shorter. By

virtue of this path of comparatively low resistance, Y

the iluid owing through these tubes ows at a. greater velocity with a correspondingly higher rate of heat transfer advantage, so that the lugs attached to the tubes 00,-10, as shown inFigs. 3 and 4, despitefthe fact that they are contacted by combustion gases at high temperature, do not themselves reach a destruotively high'temperature as they are kept'cool bythe flow` of the heat aba sorbing medium through the tubes 60, towhich they are attached. Y Y

In theJembodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, in Fig. 8 is shown a side .view Y of a heat transfer device located within a Vcasing |00. In this embodiment'of the invention, a group of tubes |03 is connected to an inlet header |02 at the inlet end:,this group of tubes extends across the casing in a long return bend loop and is bonnected at the outlet end to the upper portion of a row of intermediate headers |04.s A second group `of tubes I 05 extendsaciross the interior of the cas- A ing, similar to the group |03, and is connected at the inlet end to the lower portion of the intermediate header IM and at the outlet end to the upper portion of a second row of intermediate headers |06. A third group'of tubes |01 extends across is connected successively by a series of horizontal connections I2 and vertical connections 1| I3 to la series oi similar headers, spaced apart at locations Y where support` of tubes is necessary,with a pair of headers extending across the upper portion of` each leg of the several tube loops.V

Attached to each header by means of a rib member I |1 welded thereto, in good thermal'contact therewith, is a metallic platelsupporting member IIS. Each support H5 extends downward through one leg group of the group of tubes |03, |05, |01 and serves as a support for the tubes in the leg through which it extends. Each support his covered Ywith refractory covering IIS, and the lower portion thereof, in all exceptthe lowermost member, may be secured to the header III disposed belo`w it by means of a second rib member I i1 welded to the upper portion ci' that header.

A Figs. 11. and l2 show enlarged views of one of the lowermost headers I I IV. In Fig. 11 is shown a connector ||2 connected by means of aange |20 to theheader l I I. 'I'he'interior of theheadercontains.

a ,displacen I2I concentric therewith, leaving an annular space |22 betweenthe outside surface of f5 the displacer and the inside surface of the header I I2 passes.4 As shown in Fig. 12, the displacer `I2I is held in place by three spacer members |25, disposed 120 apart, which leaves an adequate annular space through which the fluid may pass. l

In the operation of this device, a portion of the fluid admitted to the inlet header I 02y passes through the tubes |03 to the intermediate header |06 from where it passes through the tubes |05 to the second intermediate header |06 ,andthenpasses through the tubes |01 to the outlet header |00. Combustion gases pass successively across through which the fluid admitted by the connector the tubes |01, |05, |03, so that the uld admitted to the system passes through the tubes in a generally counterow direction to the combustion gases. l A portion of the fluid admitted to the inlet header |02, instead of flowing through the, tube banks just enumerated, ows through the connector I|0 to the lowermost header III; from there "the iluid ows through the annular space therein, as shown in Figs. 11 and l2, to theother side thereof and through the horizontal connector I I2 to the second header .I I I, and after flowingl through this header the uid flows upward successively through the' vertical connector `I I3, through another header tothe horizontal connector II2, and so on, to the uppermost header III,

from where it goes to the outlet header |00 l through'the connector |29. 'Ihis passage of the uid is indicated by arrows through the enumerated connectors and headers in Fig. 8. h The headers I I to which the supporting niembers IIS are securd, must necessarily be of substantial size in order to withstand the weight of the l tubes 'which they' ultimately support. The. displacer |2| is therefore' placed within this header to increase the velocity of the fluid passing therethrough,` and hence increase the heat trans.-

fer effectiveness of that heat absorbing medium.

'Ihe transfer of heat from the header III'to the fluid contained therein is therefore high, so that the metallic supporting member |I5, which is in good thermal contact therewith, although exposed i to the heat of combustion gases at comparatively high temperature, is keptwithin safe-temperature limits.

As an^additional safety feature, the direction of` flow of the uid through these headers I I I' is gennerally parallel to the gases of combustion, so that the supports exposed to combustion gases at the highest temperature are secured to -headers through which the heat absorbing medium at the lowest temperature is passed.

This inventiomcertain embodiments of which have been specifically described, provides heat transfer devices in which tubes containing a heat absorbing medium are supported by members contacted by gases at hgh-temperaturethrough which the same heat absorbing medium is passed as through the tubes constituting the main flow path of the device.` The supporting members present?,l path o f less flow resistance to the vheat absorbing medium thanthe tubes of the main ow path, so thatthe' fluid flows therethrough with increased velocity, to the' betterment of the rate .ofkheat transfer. The supporting structure, although contacted by gases at high temperature, is kept below a destructively high temperature and presents additional heat transfer surfaces.

Specic illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in some detail, but it is understood that changes, substitutions, additions and omissions'may be made within the spirit oi? the invention as deiined by the appended claims."7.45

5 casing, a second group of tubes having vertically disposed sections between the tubes ofthe rst named group and with lugs thereon engaging the C l 4vertical plates secured to the upper and lower .tubes of the rst named group.

' 2. In a heat -transfer device, a casing,a group oi.' :duid containing tubes located interiorly of the casing and supported by members disposed at right angles thereacross by means of metallic .members in good thermal contact therewith, and

iiuid connections to said supporting members and tubes providing a flow in parallel of the same fluid through the tubes and supporting members.

3. In a heat transfer device, a pair of headers, a

tubular` fluid conduit/element having its end portions connected to said headers and having substantially horizontal superposed portions exposed in operation to a high` temperature heating med- '.ium, and a second tubular uid conduit element connected to one of said headers and having a substantially vertical portion adjacent the superposed portions 'oi said rst mentioned element and having `a supporting connection with each ofsaid superposed portions.

4. In a heat transier device, a pair of headers, a

tubular iluid conduit element having its end portions connected to said headers and having horizontally arranged superposed portions exposed in operation to a high temperature heating medium, a second tubular uid conduit element connected to one of said headers and having a substantially vertical portion adjacent the superposed portions of said first mentioned element and having a supportingconnectionwith each of said superposed portions and means` for supporting said second:

mentioned element at a level aboyeithe level of the Q lhorizontal portions ofL said rst mentioned ele- 5. In a heat transfer device, a pair of headers, a tubular fluid conduit element having its end portions connected to said headers and having horizontally`arranged superposed portions exposed in operation to a high temperature heating medium, a second tubular iluid conduit element exposed -in operation to said .high temperature heating medium and having a substantially verwtical portion adjacent to and intermediate the., length of the superposed portions oi said first mentioned element and having a supporting connection Awith said iirst mentioned element at portions of said 60 its end portions connected to said headers and having horizontally arranged intermediate looped portions exposed in operation to a high temperature .heating medium. a second tubular fluid conduit element connected to said headers and having 05 horizontal portions adjacent ,the horizontal portions of said iirst mentioned element, vertical plates secured to the horizontal portions of said second mentioned element and engaging the horizontal portionso1' said first mentioned element, i 70a displacement body in the horizontal.- portions .of said second-mentioned element and arranged toincrease the nuid velocity therethrough, and

ment. t.

In-Infa'heat transfer devicea-v group of parvertically spaced'points and means for supportingsaid second mentioned element at a levelmeans for supporting said` second` mentioned eleallel looped tubular iluid conduit elements hav- ,ing vertically spaced horizontally arranged portions exposed in operation to a high temperature heating medium, a tubular iluid conduit element having a horizontal tube supporting portion extending transversely of and intermediate the horizontal` portions oi said group oi elements,

sides of said 'horizontal portion of said second element and respectively supporting the vertically spaced horizontal portions oi said group o! elements. and means for-supporting said second element.

8. In a heat transfer device, .a pair oi inlet and outlet headers, an intermediate header po- I'sitioned between said inlet andoutlt headers, a tubular uid conduit element having its ends connected to said inlet and intermediate headers and having horizontally arranged intermediate portions exposed in operation to a high temperature heating medium, a second tubular iluid conv duit lelement having its ends connected to,said .intermediate and outlet headers and having horizontally arranged intermediate portions exposed to said high temperature heatingl medium, a third tubular fluid conduit element having its ends conportion extending transversely oi.' thehorizontal vportions of`an adjacent element and supporting the same, and means for supporting the vertical portion of said supporting conduit element.

10. In a heat transfer device, a plurality of .I vertically spaced rows of tubular iiuid conduit elements having horizontally arranged portions n exposed in operation toa high temperature heating medium, tubular elements in one of said rows having lvertical portions extending transversely of the horizontal portions of elements in the remaining rows and supporting the same, and

vmeans for supporting the vertical supporting elements.

11. Fluid heating apparatus comprising a horizontally extending return bend tube having its looped portion arranged in ayertical plane` a uid cooled support for said tube comprising a vertically extendingsupporting tube positioned alongside said return bend ,tube and extending past successive horizontal portions of said tube,

portions of said vand means for supportingv s`aid horizontabtube portions at vertically spaced points along'said supporting tube.`

l 1 2.'Fluid heating apparatus comprising a group of horizontally extending returnbend tubes having their looped portionsarranged in vertical planes, fluid cooled supports for said Vtubes comprising suspended vertically extending supporting tubes positionedbetween adjacent tubes of said groupand extending past successive horizontal portions of s eachof said'group tubes, and

means for 'suporting said horizontal tube portions at vertically spaced points along said sup-v porting tubes. A

13. Fluid heating apparatus comprising in combination a main set of tubes arranged ior a fluid flow in parallel therethrough, some of said rows, and means for supporting said horizontal vtube portions at vertically spaced points along tubes extending transversely across the remaining tubes, and supporting means carried by said transversely extending tubes and directly engaging other tubes to effect their support.

14. Fluid heating apparatus comprising in combination a main set of return bend tubes arranged for a fluid ilow in parallel therethrough, some of said tubes extending transversely across the remaining tubes, and supporting means carried by said transversely extending tubes at vertically spaced points and directly engaging the under sides of other tubes to elect their support.

l5. Fluid heating apparatus comprising a header, a row of horizontally extending return bend tubes connected to said header and having their looped portions arranged in vertical planes, other tubes connected to said header and arranged to extend vertically past successive horizontal portions of said return bend tubes, and means for supporting said horizontal tube portions at vertically spaced points along said vertically extending tubes.

16. Fluid heating apparatus comprising a header, nested rows of horizontally extending return bend tubes connected to said header and having their looped portions arranged in vertical planes, other tubes connected to said header and bent to extend vertically past successive horizontal portions of the return bend tubes in said nested said bent tubes.

17. A fluid heater lcomprising heat transfer surface includingvertically spaced horizontally extending tube portions and other tube portions extending vertically across the horizontally extending tube portions, means for passing the same heat absorbing fluid through all of said tube portions, and means at vertically spaced points lon said vertically extendingtube portions for supporting said horizontally extending tube portions.

18. In a heat transfer device, a pair of headers,

, a tubular fluid conduit element having its end portions connected to said headers and having horizontally arranged superposed portions exposed in operation to a high temperature heating medium, a second tubular lluid conduit eiement connected to at least one of said headers and having a substantially vertical portion ad'- jacent the superposed portions of said rst inentioned element and having a supporting conond header and in supporting engagement with.

said return bend tubes adjacent the return bend ends thereof.

20. A fluid heater comprising a casing, a pair of headers, a group of horizontally extending return bend tubes within said casing and having their opposite ends connected to said headers, a third header having its ends supported by said casing and extending transversely of said tubes above and adjacent the return bend ends thereof, conduit means separately connecting said third header to-at least one of said first mentioned headers, and a hanger plate suspended from said third header and in supporting engagement with said return bend tubes adjacent the return bend ends thereof.

HOWARD J; KERR. CHARLES U. SAVOYE. 

